LCD and non HD TV

[Willow]

A family friend is moving into a retirement home this weekend. Her current 14" tv is pure crap the colors are gone on it. Her new place is not very big so we are thinking of an LCD as it must stay under 32". Has anyone ever tried non HD cable with LCD and how is the pic?. There is no room for a tube and this lady is 92 so surfing a HD box is not an option. Is it really bad? Does anyone recommend a size for someone who is 92 and still has good eyesight? who will be 12ft away from the TV ?

Thanks

[WilliamM2]

I sit about 14' away from my 42" LCD. Seems about right to me, but I don't like really large screens. I bought a Toshiba 42HL67, for $1080, based mostly on SD pic quality. It is only 720p, but to my eyes, the 720p sets looked better than 1080p on SD.

[Willow]

I know PQ is not a huge deal for her, but you are saying SD on an LCD will be "watchable" ?

[duksbak]

SD on an HD LCD is very watchable on a 32". Made sure the LCD has NTSC/ATSC tuner so she can watch HD on local if she wants...

I watch SD TV on my HDTV and its acceptable.

[Willow]

sounds good thanks for the info

Now this is straight cable from the wall to your tv no Dig box ?

[WilliamM2]

Now this is straight cable from the wall to your tv no Dig box ?

That is the way mine is set-up, until I sign up for HD from the cable company.

SD on an LCD is very watchable, depending on the scaler in the TV. From my research before buying Toshiba, JVC, and Olevia seem to do very well. There is no JVC dealer around here, I didn't want to go with Olevia (horrible support), so I chose Toshiba.

[jvarnadoe]

It depends on how good the TV is at processing SD and what your view of "watchable" is. I have 2 Panasonic plasmas TH50PX60U and TH42PX60U and both are "watchable" on SD, although my 42" seems to handle SD much better than my 50". My neighbor purchased a Vizio 32" LCD and I think the picture quality in SD on that set is pretty bad. They are satisfied though, so "watchable" is a very subjective thing.

[Willow]

As mentioned it's for a 92 yr old who is accustomed to a 14" with bleeding colors. For your typical Judge judy and animal shows along with Wheel of Fortune......type shows.

[jvarnadoe]

The picture quality for her should be fine. She'll probably lay a big smacker on you just because she won't have to strain her eyes watching a 14" set anymore.

[AndyGwis]

I have both a 32" and 19" Westinghouse LCD. The SD is pretty much all I watch on those as my apartment complex doesn't offer a HD package. I do get OTA HD on my plasma.

Anyway, the Westies provide adequate picture quality for SD TV. I really enjoy mine, and they are cheap as hell. With reward zone points and a 10% off coupon, I think I got the 32" from BB for just over $500 out the door. The 19" was picked up in like new condition off local CL for $160.